Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. majority (n.) – the number larger than half of the total
Example: The president won
because majority of the people voted for him.
2. postal order (n.)
– money that is sent through mail
Example: Most stores in far
places receive payments through postal order.
3. allocate (v.) – to assign or set apart something for a
particular purpose
Example: Most of government
fund is allocated to education.
4. overload (n.) – a situation in which the load is in
excessive amount
Example: Five computers will
overload the electric system.
5. first come, first served (idiom) – a kind of
service wherein people are served according to the order they arrived
Example: Late comers might
not get tickets because they are serving on a first come, first served basis.
Article
Read the text below.
Organizers of London
Olympics 2012 have started collecting payments from people who applied for
tickets for the big event. In their report, 60% of applications were processed
last May 25 and majority was finished on May 31. They are expecting to complete the
whole process on June 10.
Emails have been sent
announcing that payments from successful applicants are now being taken through
their Visa cards, bank checks, or postal
orders. Those who will successfully purchase tickets will be informed
on June 24 regarding the event allocated to them.
Some groups criticize
this ticketing system as unfair because people will only get to know which
event they can watch until after the payments have been deducted from their
accounts.
In defense, Keith Mills,
chairperson of the organizing committee, explained that the system is designed
to avoid an overload of
ticket reservations. Organizers recently reported that they have received more
than one million applications for the Men’s 100-meter event set in August 5,
2012.
To address situations
like this, organizers will set a second round of sales in which failed
applicants are given priority. The sale will be on a first-come-first-served basis
and any remaining ticket will be sold to the public at the end of the year.
Ticket prices for the
event ranges from 20 to 725 pounds. Organizers are expecting a profit of £500
million from ticket sales, filling part of the £2 billion they are raising
through private sponsors.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy
a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What
do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of the
first-come-first-served system?
·
If
you were one of the organizers in the London Olympics, would you agree to the ticketing
system? Please explain your answer,
Discussion B
·
Do
you think it is reasonable to charge ticket fees for events in the Olympics?
Why or why not?
·
Should
the government help in lowering the ticket prices for events like the Olympics?
Please explain your answer.
